Lord have Mercy... And Comfort... And Abigail

The day finally came when I was reunited my the precious pearls. The team and I arrived at The Pearl House Thursday afternoon. It took all I had to hold back my tears as we were driving into Winneba. Seeing their school, the familiar stores, and friends houses caused memories to overwhelm my brain. What was only a few hours seemed like days waiting for the girls to come home from school. Finally we heard them running down the road and I went to hide in my room to surprise them. As they settled down from seeing Daddy Steve, he had them close their eyes, and then I walked out. The girls quickly opened their eyes and sprinted off the couch. I was immediately enveloped in a group hug, being tossed back and forth, hugging anyone in arms length. Abigail was next to me, Rita held on to my legs like I would disappear if she let go, and Olyvia was in shock. Their reaction was better than I could have imagined. Within the first 10 minutes we were back dancing and singing together. I was back in The Pearl House groove. It was a relief. As I walked into the house I wasn't quite sure where my place would be. I wasn't really an intern anymore, my room wasn't mine. What was I? As soon as I saw my girls though, I knew. I am their family and they are mine. I am their friend and they are mine. I am a follower of God and will be where He wants me. The day continued on like it would have six months ago with chores, studying, dinner, and devotion. At devotion I told the girls that one of my reasons for coming on this trip was to show them that I will be in their lives and that I will come back. I pray that they can trust me and believe that I will always be a part of their lives. As I read with some of the girls after devotion I felt like a proud mother. The way they have advanced in their reading and sounded out the words amazed me.  So many things have changed and they have all grown physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

Back On the Saddle

     The traffic, the yelling, that smell. That's right, to everyone's surprise I am back in Ghana. I have known about this trip since January, but have kept it a secret because I wanted to surprise everyone here. Mission accomplished. It is funny seeing friends having to do a double take when they see my walk through the door. I cannot even begin to write about how excited I was for this trip. I think about and miss my girls so much, that I jumped at the opportunity to come visit them. The main purpose of this trip is to shoot a documentary featuring The Pearl House, but I just came along for fun. With me is my partner is sarcasm and wit, father of The Pearl House Steve Bullard, the not so witty but equal loved, new friend Madison Smith, my beloved intern replacement Emilie McClanaflanplanbananahands, and a documentary crew of 2. 

     As I walked down the final hallway to exit the airport I see something. Something. Someone. Off in the distance. I see her running towards me. Could it be? Is it really her? It was. My soul was content when I saw the smiling Courtney Garland. In the middle of the airport with tear-filled eyes, we hugged like sisters. You will know the feeling of an overjoyed reunion if there is someone in your life that been a mother, a friend, a sister, and mentor all at the same time. Courtney was the one right by my side as I transitioned to living in a new country and I am so excited to be here to serve and encourage her. This reunion was emotional, I think I might need to get out the tissues for the next one with the girls. I cannot wait to see their improvements, hear their English, see their smiles. They mean everything to me and we are finally back together again! 

     Our film crew and team members got aquatinted with Accra during our first meeting. It was good to see the action of the city. Despite my exhaustion, it was the surprised looks of little Cynthia, Bishop, Junior, Pastor Niimoi, and Kingsley that got me through the day. I am excited to show Emilie all around Winneba and help her become aquatinted with her new home. 

     Please pray for God to protect my thought against Satan. I don't want to be thinking about my departure date and miss out on the time I do get with the girls. I pray for Emilie and Courtney as they figure out their new way of living and this time of transition. 

This Isn't A Goodbye

The day has finally arrived. The dreaded day. The day I wished away as soon as I stepped off my plane in July. The day that there will be an ocean separating my precious pearls from me. The day that I am returning to the U.S. Saying goodbye was the hardest thing I think I have ever done. It took all of me to sit in my taxi and drive off as I had tears streaming down my face, looking at those faces that mirrored me in sadness. It took all of my will power to not stop the car and turn back, to run inside and lock the gate so I didn't have to leave. I know that these are selfish thoughts. I know I have family and friends eagerly awaiting my arrival. However, the love I have for my girls trumps each thought about home. Throughout the month of November I spent a lot of my time writing the mission journal and handbook for The Pearl House. The last section was about returning back to The States. I did a lot of research and read a lot of books about how to mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually adjust back to "normal life". I made sure to really understand what I was writing about, knowing I would be going through that process in a month. But that was a month ago. Now I am sitting in the airport wondering how I will get on this plane or how I am going to keep it together. I think these girls have made just as much of an impact in my life than I have in their lives. They have shown me what pure joy looks like, what true transformation is, and how to praise The Lord with all you have. On Saturday night, Tina had the girls go around and say what they learned from me. First of all, this brought tears to my eyes. It overflowed my heart with joy to know that these past 6 months have meant something to someone besides myself. Second, I wish they could comprehend what they have all done for me. I have 19 new sisters and 1 baby girl.  They have become my family. The girls, Tina, Rita, and Courtney are all apart of my family tree. Satan has had a hold on my thoughts regarding my return home. He tries to hold the negative, worthless, demeaning thoughts and draw them near to me when they start slipping to the back of my mind. I know though, that my God is greater and the my God is stronger. I have to release my grip on those thoughts and let Him defeat Satan. Moving to Ghana was the hardest, best, most inspiring, most spiritual gaining experience I have ever had. I am at point where I have to depend on God for everything and I pray that discipline does not fade away as I return. God has a plan. God had a plan before I moved to Ghana. God had a plan while I was in Ghana. God has a plan as I am leaving Ghana. God will have a plan when I return home. I ask that you pray for me as I make this transition back home. Please pray for my parents, because this will be hard for them too. Please be patient with me as I figure where I belong now. I want this experience to not only impact me, but impact others. I need to share God's glory and how He is working when I return. I cannot keep this trip to myself. It is meant to be shared. It is meant to be used to glorify God. I do not know when I will be returning to The Pearl House but I trust God and ask that He guides me no matter where I am. 

Acts Me About Missions

Have you ever read Acts? Because I had not. I don't know why though, because it is an awesome book of the Bible! Reading about the missions of the apostles after Jesus returned to Heaven is so encouraging! To hear how they lived as one, reached out to those who were in need, and did not let earthly obstacles keep them from proclaiming the name of The Lord is truly inspiring. In the beginning of Acts, I was introduced to one of my new favorite people in the Bible, Stephen. If you don't know much about Stephen his story is in Acts 6 and 7. What I noticed most about Stephen was his attitude about serving The Lord. When all of the disciples were going to travel all over and share the Gosple, they received complaints about how they were neglecting some of the people they were in the same town with. No one immediately volunteered to stay behind, so Stephen was among those that were chosen. It probably would have been easy for Stephen to have a bad attitude about being left behind. It probably would have been easy for him to feel useless by God. But, no. Stephen looked at where he was and chose to serve The Lord and chose to do it to the best of his ability. He opened himself up to let the Holy Spirit work through him. I pray to have the attitude of Stephen when I return home. I pray that when I am home I will look where I am and serve God to the best of my ability. So, as Stephen is working for The Lord and performing great works, the Jews were becoming angry with him. The Jews accused him of speaking against the laws of Moses and God and turned people against Stephen. Stephen was then arrested and taken to the Council. As the began interrogating Stephen, they looked down and saw he had the face of an angel. Then, Stephen just starts quoting scripture from the first testament. From the promise made to Abraham to the words of the prophets in Isaiah and Jeremiah, Stephen said it all. After all of this, Stephen calls the Jews out in chapter 7 verse 53 saying "You who have received the Law as it was ordained and set in order and delivered by angels, and [yet] you did not obey it." The Jews were furious and covered their ears. In faith, Stephen kept going. He proclaimed that He could see the glory of God in Heaven with Jesus at his right hand. The Jews drag Stephen out and begin to stone him. Even in his dying moments Stephen was praying to God "Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit. Lord please fix not this sin upon them." After he prayed for the praying for the people stoning him, Stephen fell asleep in death. Isn't that just an amazing story. It is the true picture of what living a missionary lifestyle is all about. Stephen chose to be a missionary for God wherever he was placed and he worked for The Lord. Stephen knew the Bible. He didn't just generalize the first testament for the Council, but quoted it for them. And most importantly, Stephen was a prayer warrior. He knew that not everyone would accept the message he was proclaiming, but prayed for those who rebuked him for it. He prayed to God while he was being stoned and humbly asked for God to receive his soul. His last words were a prayer for those stoning him. I know that we can all draw something from the story of Stephen. I want to be a Stephen in the Kingdom of God.  Throughout my reading I was continually amazed by the faith of the early desciples after Jesus died. Peter and Paul were constantly harmed, threatened, and imprisoned. There comes a time in chapter 21 when Paul is about to go to Jerusalem. As he was preparing a prophet came and told Paul that he had received a vision from God to tell Paul he will be harshly persecuted if he goes. Others came forward telling Paul that they felt that The Holy Spirit was cautioning not to go. Despite the warning that seemed to be from God, Paul says "For I hold myself in readiness not only to be arrested and bound and imprisoned at Jerusalem, but also to die for the name of The Lord Jesus." Wow. Pail wasn't going into Jerusalem blindly. He knew what he was getting into. That verse makes me check myself. That verse says to me "Hey Clara, remember that one time you didn't share Christ with that one person because you feared they might reject you?" It is a verse that portrays shame on to my evangelism choices. Seeing the sacrifices and attitudes of Peter, Paul, and Stephen have rocked my socks off. If you have not read Acts all the way through, please go read it. We are called to be missionaries for Christ, and this is a book that will give you the ultimate role models. 

Home Sweet Home

Winneba is starting to feel like my home. I feel like I am accepted here. It is a wonderful feeling when I walk down the street and I recognize neighbors, I go into a store and see a fellow church member, I have the number of store owners who call me when orders are in, and I am a regular visitor at the school. These people make me feel so welcome. Ghana is a very hospitable country and I have definitely been a witness of this. Whenever I go to the school, I feel like that mom that checks up on her kid at school everyday. Fortunately, I am only there once a week. The girls all bring home different information about holidays, school books, fees, so I have to go and get the real information. I am that girl that has "my chair" when I walk into the office. I really enjoy living in a community where I can feel involved and I am always graciously welcomed anywhere I go. It is fun to show off my knowledge of Winneba; the junction names, the back roads to walk to town, where the less expensive coke is. The people I live with also make me feel like I belong. Yes, there are times I struggle, but I love learning from and being encouraged by these women. Every Thursday we pray for each other after the girls leave for school and these three women are people that I know that are praying for me after we leave the prayer circle. God has placed The Pearl House in a spot where it will be able to serve the community and be lifted up by the fellowship. 

Founding Father's Day

The founding father of The Pearl House finally came to meet the girls! These pearls have been waiting what seems like an eternity to meet the man they have prayer for everyday. As Steve Bullard walked through the gate on Sunday, October 6th, he was bombarded with hugs, handshakes, and hellos. It was one of the best things I have ever watched. They girls couldn't stop smiling as Steve and the group came in. Steve was so overwhelmed that Bishop Odai stepped in and said some words to the girls. It is always very encouraging to the girls and the staff to hear what Bishop has to say. To make the introductions even sweeter, the first thing the girls did for the group was quote Matthew 13:45-46. Steve told me that he was numb before that and as soon as he heard the quotation he was pretty sure capillaries started bursting. It was beautiful. Even though we had a program at the church to go to, the girls couldn't wait to get inside and show Steve and the team everything. They started by quoting all their bible verses, then they sang and did their dances, then they showed them around the house. I loved seeing the girls just want to hold on to Steve, to never leave his side. After the program, everyone came back and the group was able to say goodnight to the girls and see them off to bed. The girls begged to stay home from school on Monday so they could spend time with the team, but unfortunately they all had testing. As the girls came running home from school that day, the team was there to help with homework and to read to the girls. Many of them pilled around the couch as Steve read one of their new books to them. We all ate together and played games before we headed off to church to the end of the program. It was a beautiful thing to see the girls surround their Dad and worship The Lord together. I couldn't help but just watch them all praise God. It didn't matter that they couldn't speak the same language, or that some were black and some were white, the girls were happy that they were at church with the man that cares so much about them giving thanks to the One who cares even more. Tuesday was Steve and the teams last day in Winneba, so we didn't plan anything for that night so they could spend quality time with girls. They all did homework together, colored together, looked at pictures together, read together, and ate together. Before the group had to leave, we all sat and had devotion together, filled with singing and praying. As Cory, one of the team members, spoke, the tears were streaming. When Steve began to encourage the girls, the tears were gushing down the faces of most if the people in the room. At the end of devotion, Steve gave each girl a pair of pearl earrings. It was a beautiful moment to see them receive this beautiful symbol of their worth given to them by someone so important in their lives. I think God blessed everyone's lives while the team was here. Even though the girls were sobbing as the team drove away, I knew that they couldn't be happier to have gotten to meet their dad. Many of these girls have lost their earthly father, so I encourage you to pray for Steve as he takes on this role in each girls life and that they always remember that their Heavenly Fathers loves them so much more. 

Back To School Edition

I feel like a stay at home mom sending her kids out the door for their first day of school. The girls officially started school on Wednesday, September 11th. On Tuesday night, the school supplies were sorted, the uniforms ironed, and the girls prayed over. Courtney, Rita, Tina, and I all walked them down the street to school and held their hands as they walked through the gate. Many of the girls are starting in a class that is lower than the class they were in at their old village. I hope it will be humbling for them to be in a class with children 1-5 years younger than them. I hope it causes them to want to work hard to get promoted at the end of the term. God has been so faithful in providing for their schooling. He placed our house down the road from the best school in the Central Region of Ghana. They are so caring and have the best intentions for our girls. They have had students come from all over, so they know how to provide special attention to children who are unfamiliar with actual schooling. They girls go to school from 7-2 and then have extra classes from 3-5. I love that they learning so much, but it makes me sad when they are gone all day. This just means that I have to be intentional and present during the times I do have with them. One thing we are trying do use as a learning opportunity is giving the girls all new things for school; socks, shoes, uniforms, supplies, backpacks, ect. We want them to have thankful hearts and show gratitude for what they are given. This is not about me wanting them to constantly thank me for everything, but learn to always be thankful for what God provides. This also teaches them the differences between necessities and privileges. Sometimes they get them confused and I want them to take a minute, remember where they came from, and what God has done for them. They must learn what it means to be a pearl of Christ and not a pearl of the world. After only going to school for about 2 weeks, the English in the house has improved tremendously! I love hearing them try to explain something to or trying to sound out a new word. We also have started The Pearl House language: 

~Most Engligh words have either and O or a Y at the end (example: picky picky- picking up trash or biggly- big

~If you do not like some thing it is either eating you, fighting you, or insulting you (example: "the sun is eating you"- what the girls say when I have a sun burn or "the water is insulting me"- it is raining.)

~A lot of the girls mix up L and R (example: "Sister Clara, bring me back some blood"- they are actually asking for some bread. I was very concerned the first time I heard it.) 

~If you don't know a word you just replace it with "the this" (example: "the this is paining my this!"- there really is no translation, it could mean anything. Watch for hand motions to help.)

My prayer for these girls is that God will use them as a light in their school and that He will surround them with classmates and teachers and friends that will help them mature in their faith and constantly encourage them.